Definition of Sleep-disordered breathing

Sleep-disordered breathing: A condition characterized by repeated episodes of hypopnea (underbreathing) and apnea (not breathing) during sleep. A significant proportion of adults are thought to experience sleep-disordered breathing.

Sleep-disordered breathing can cause temporary elevations in blood pressure in association with lowered blood oxygen levels and may cause elevated blood pressure during the daytime and, in time, sustained high blood pressure.